Pneumatic mud bucket

ABSTRACT

A pneumatically operated vertical clam shell mud bucket attaches to a pipe joint connection in a drill stem on a drilling rig, the mud bucket defining a first tubular section forming a half cylinder hingably attaching a second tubular section forming a half cylinder, the tubular sections forming a sealed cylinder which is forcible closed together by a plurality of pneumatic cylinders, each tubular section providing a perimeter groove within which is places a composition compression material forming a liquid seal containing drilling fluids from escaping the mud bucket when the mud bucket is closed during the drilling stem separation and connection process and evacuating the contained drilling fluids to a fluid recycling system on the drilling rig for reuse to maintain a cleaner and safer drill rig deck.

I. BACKGROUND OF INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

A pneumatically operated vertical clam shell mud bucket attaches to a pipe joint connection in a drill stem on a drilling rig, the mud bucket defining a first tubular section forming a half cylinder hingably attaching a second tubular section forming a half cylinder, the tubular sections forming a sealed cylinder which is forcibly closed together by a plurality of pneumatic cylinders, each tubular section providing a perimeter groove within which is places a composition compression material forming a liquid seal containing drilling fluids from escaping the mud bucket when the mud bucket is closed during the drilling stem separation and connection process, each tubular section containing a floor and an outlet aperture slightly below each floor including an outer evacuation hose fitting for the evacuation of contained drilling fluids to an external recirculating system on the drilling rig.

2. Description of Prior Art

A preliminary review of prior art patents was conducted by the applicant which reveal prior art patents in a similar field or having similar use. However, the prior art inventions do not disclose the same or similar elements as the present mud bucket, nor do they present the material components in a manner contemplated or anticipated in the prior art.

Pat. No. Inventor Date of Issue/Publication 2011/0265992 Pearson Nov. 03, 2011 8,281,867 Belik Oct. 09, 2012 8,100,174 Halse Jan. 24, 2012 7,306,032 Paton Dec. 11, 2007 5,295,536 Bode Mar. 22, 1994 4,450,905 Crain May 29, 1984 2,522,444 Grable Sep. 12, 1950 2,096,882 Chernosky Oct. 26, 1937 1,632,889 Davis Jun. 21, 1927 234825 Walker Nov. 23, 1880

-   http://stabildrill.com/products/pneumatic_mud_buckets/ -   http://www.mento.no/articles.php?sub+319 -   http://www.subdrill.com/mud_saver_buckets.html

II. SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

The pneumatic mud bucket is a device delivered by an overhead suspension cable, extension arm or portable wheeled means to a drill stem on a drilling rig, the pneumatic mud bucket attaching to the drill stem over a pipe joint to contain drilling fluids, commonly referenced as drilling mud, which would otherwise leak onto the deck floor posing a hazard to the persons performing work on the deck. The mud bucket secures to the drill stem by two half cylindrical sections closing using a pneumatic means, each half cylinder defining a perimeter groove within which a compressible composition material strip is places to prevent leakage of the drilling fluids which are released from the drilling stem during the disconnection and connection of the drill stem sections from the joint. The fluids are withdrawn from the inner cylinder halves when closed and sealed by at least one fluid aperture forming an external fluid outlet in at least one cylinder half. These withdrawn fluids are sent via an external hose to the mud pump for recycling and reuse in the drilling rig operations.

III. DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The following drawings are informal drawings submitted with this provisional patent application.

FIG. 1 is a rear perspective line view of the pneumatic mud bucket assembly.

FIG. 2 is a front view of the pneumatic mud bucket assembly.

FIG. 3 is a top view of the pneumatic mud bucket assembly.

FIG. 4 is a right side view of the pneumatic mud bucket assembly.

FIG. 5 is a rear view of the pneumatic mud bucket assembly with the rear guard removed.

FIG. 6 is a three dimensional perspective view of the pneumatic mud bucket assembly.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view of the right side semi-cylindrical mud bucket section.

FIG. 8 is an inner view of the right side semi-cylindrical mud bucket section showing the inner cylinder cavity.

FIG. 9 is a rear view of the right side semi-cylindrical mud bucket section.

FIG. 10 is a lower end view of the right side semi-cylindrical mud bucket section.

FIG. 11 is n inner view of the left side semi-cylindrical mud bucket section showing the inner cylinder cavity.

FIG. 12 is a rear view of the left side semi-cylindrical mud bucket section.

FIG. 13 is a perspective view of the left side semi-cylindrical mud bucket section.

FIG. 14 is a lower end view of the left side semi-cylindrical mud bucket section.

FIG. 15 is a rear view of the back guard assembly.

FIG. 16 is a side view of the back guard assembly.

IV. DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

A pneumatic mud bucket assembly applied to a joint section of drill stem from a drilling rig, provides a secure fitting over a joint during disconnection and reconnection of the joint section to contain the drilling fluids and prevent them from contaminating the drill rig deck, the pneumatic mud bucket comprising a upright half right cylinder section, FIGS. 7-10, pivotally attaching an upright half cylinder left section, FIGS. 11-14, being hingably joined together by a plurality of hinges, FIGS. 1, 3 and 5, at respective rear surfaces of each right and left section, the right and left section defining a cylindrical inner cavity, FIGS. 7-8, 11 and 13, each right and left section defining in inner perimeter groove, FIGS. 6-8, 11 and 13, the groove fitting a compressed rear extension of a composition semi-compressible sealing material which provides a seal between opposing inner perimeter margins on each respective right and left section, each right and left section further defining a lower pipe aperture and an upper pipe aperture also defining an inner perimeter groove incorporating the inner perimeter groove of each right and left section and also fitting more sealing material, FIGS. 7-8, 11 and 13, which seal upon and enclose the drill stem when applied to the drill stem, each right and left section further defining a fluid outlet, FIGS. 8 and 11, the fluid outlet selected to divert the contained fluids to a fluid recycling pump on the drilling rig by an external hose attached to a selected right section or left section outlet. Each right and left section further define a floor at the lower end forming the lower pipe aperture. Each respective fluid outlet is formed slightly below the floor which provides for the complete evacuation of any fluid contained in the cylindrical inner cavity, FIGS. 4, 8 and 11. At least one air pressure relief valve is defined within either the left or right section, seen in the right section in a preferred upper end of FIG. 5, which communicated by a one-way pressure means to allow air intake to alleviate pressure from within the cylindrical inner cavity when attached to a drill stem in a closed position to evacuate the drilling fluids through a fluid outlet below.

When the left and right sections are attached, they form a vertical cylindrical clam-shell enclosure connected together at a pivotal rear margin by a plurality of hinges, the pneumatic mud pump assembly appearing as shown in FIGS. 1-5. As depicted in FIGS. 1,3 and 5, indicating a rear view of mud bucket assembly, each right and left section define at least three rear extension arms covered by a rear extension panel, the extension arms and panels extending beyond the hinges, FIG. 3. The preferred embodiment would indicate the inclusion of at least four heavy duty hinges. These rear extension arms hingeably attach at least three pneumatic cylinders, FIG. 5, which alternate in orientation and are further connected to a common external compressed air channel system to which a compressed air line is connected to supply the at least three pneumatic cylinders with compressed air. Most preferably there is at least one more hinge than pneumatic cylinders, and the hinges are placed above and below each pneumatic cylinder as shown in FIGS. 1 and 5, to optimize the forces and improve the sealing capacity of the pneumatic mud bucket assembly and to regulate the uniformity of the pressure of the perimeter seal over the entire mud bucket assembly and the inner perimeter seals of the right and left section from top to bottom. When the pneumatic cylinders are pressurized, the pneumatic cylinders expand against the rear extension arms and force the left and right sections together to close the pneumatic mud bucket assembly, as would be shown in FIGS. 2 and 3. When the air pressure is release and the pneumatic cylinders are not under pressure, the rear extension arms are pushed apart and the left and right sections are opened to expose the cylindrical inner cavity. The closed position is the position at the time the pneumatic mud bucket assembly is attached to the drill stem and the open position is the position when the pneumatic mud bucket is release from the drill stem.

It is preferred that the pneumatic mud bucket assembly be further equipped with a back guard assembly, shown in FIGS. 6 and 15-16, which provides a retractable safety screen over the pneumatic cylinders, the hinges, the rear extension panels and the air channel system. This rear guard assembly comprises a screen panel, at least two spring tensioning support arms and a solid cover panel which is slidably engaged with the screen panel to adjust the width of the back guard assembly during the operation of the mud bucket assembly as the assembly opens and closes. This rear guard may be opened and closed by at least two hinges from one of the extension panels, right or left section, for servicing of the hinges, the pneumatic cylinders, the compressed air channel system and for cleaning and routine servicing.

The pneumatic mud bucket assembly is generally suspended from the drilling rig and may be swung or otherwise moved into place by an overhead chain system or other suspensory system, or by some movement in relationship to the drilling platform deck. In FIGS. 1, 5, and 6, a pair of overhead chain brackets are shown. In whatever manner provided, the support apparatus used to move and remove the pneumatic bucket should have some proximity to an outside air compressor. A hose or flexible pipe system is also required which is attached to a selected fluid outlet which abates the collected drilling fluids and directs them for disposal or most preferably, recycling within the drilling rig operations.

Although the embodiments of the invention have been described and shown above, it will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that numerous modifications may be made therein without departing from the scope of the invention as herein described. 

1. A pneumatic mud bucket for the containment, evacuation and diversion of drilling fluids from a pipe joint in a drill stem utilized in a drilling rig, the pneumatic mud bucket comprising: a right half cylinder defining a rear surface extending a plurality of extension arms, an upper pipe aperture, a lower piper aperture, a hollow cylindrical inner cavity defining a lower floor and an inner perimeter groove, and an evacuation port having a lower portion extending below said lower floor, said evacuation port further defining an outer collar; a left half cylinder defining a rear surface extending a plurality of extension arms, an upper pipe aperture, a lower piper aperture, a hollow cylindrical inner cavity defining a lower floor and an inner perimeter groove, and an evacuation port having a lower portion extending below said lower floor, said evacuation port further defining an outer collar; a perimeter seal in at least one of said perimeter groove extending slightly beyond said inner perimeter groove, said right and left half cylinder attached together forming a clamshell enclosure by a plurality of hinges attaching to said rear surfaces of said respective right and left half cylinders mating together along said respective perimeter grooves, said upper pipe apertures forming an upper circular opening receiving a section of drill stem and said lower pipe apertures forming a lower circular opening receiving a section of the same said drill stem, with said perimeter seal preventing released drilling liquids from escaping each said hollow cylindrical inner cavities when said mud bucket is in a closed position around said drill stem, diverting said liquids to said evacuation ports for diversion to an external drilling liquid reserve; a compressed air system attaching to said rear surfaces of said right and left half cylinders, said compressed air system defining an air hose connection attaching a compressed air line from an external compressed air supply, an activation switch to deliver compressed air to at least one cylindrical piston attaching between at least one aligned pair of extension arms of each right and left half cylinder to open and close said right and left half cylinder around said drill stem; and a bracket mounted to each half cylinder around said upper pipe aperture from which to suspend said mud bucket.
 2. The pneumatic mud bucket as disclosed in claim 1, further defining a back guard assembly providing a safe barrier secured between each set of said plurality of extension arms preventing incidental exposure to said plurality of hinges, said at least one cylindrical air piston, and said compressed air system comprising: a screen panel; at least two spring tensioning support arms; and a solid cover panel slidably engaged with said screen panel to adjust a width of said back guard assembly between said extension arms during operation of said mud bucket as it opens and closes, said back guard assembly opened and closed by at least two hinges attaching to at least two said extension arms, providing access to service and repair said plurality of hinges, said at least one air piston, said compressed air system and for cleaning and routine servicing.
 3. The pneumatic mud bucket, as disclosed in claim 1, said mud bucket more specifically comprising: three extension arms extending from each said right and left half cylinder; four hinges attaching said rear surfaces of each said right and left half cylinder forming said clamshell enclosure of said mud bucket; and one air cylinder hingably attached between each paired and aligned set of extension arms to open and close said right and left half cylinders, each said air cylinder receiving said supply of compressed air from said compressed air system through said activation switch, with each said air cylinder alternating in vertical orientation and positioned between a set of hinges along said rear surface of said right and left half cylinders to optimize closure forces and to provide uniformity of pressure upon said perimeter seal from top to bottom.
 4. The pneumatic mud bucket, as disclosed in claim 1 further comprising: a one way air pressure valve located with at least one right or left half cylinder, further attaching to said compressed air system to provide a positive pressure within said hollow inner cavity of each said right and left half cylinder in a closed position around a drill stem, to assist in the evacuation of drilling liquids from said inner cavities, over said lower floors and out said evacuation ports.
 5. A pneumatic mud bucket for the containment, evacuation and diversion of drilling fluids from a pipe joint in a drill stem utilized in a drilling rig, the pneumatic mud bucket comprising: a right half cylinder defining a rear surface extending a three extension arms, an upper pipe aperture, a lower piper aperture, a hollow cylindrical inner cavity defining a lower floor and an inner perimeter groove, and an evacuation port having a lower portion extending below said lower floor, said evacuation port further defining an outer collar; a left half cylinder defining a rear surface extending three extension arms, an upper pipe aperture, a lower piper aperture, a hollow cylindrical inner cavity defining a lower floor and an inner perimeter groove, and an evacuation port having a lower portion extending below said lower floor, said evacuation port further defining an outer collar; a perimeter seal in at least one of said perimeter groove extending slightly beyond said inner perimeter groove, said right and left half cylinder attached together forming a clamshell enclosure by a four hinges attaching to said rear surfaces of said respective right and left half cylinders mating together along said respective perimeter grooves, said upper pipe apertures forming an upper circular opening receiving a section of drill stem and said lower pipe apertures forming a lower circular opening receiving a section of the same said drill stem, with said perimeter seal preventing released drilling liquids from escaping each said hollow cylindrical inner cavities when said mud bucket is in a closed position around said drill stem, diverting said liquids to said evacuation ports for diversion to an external drilling liquid reserve; a compressed air system attaching to said rear surfaces of said right and left half cylinders, said compressed air system defining an air hose connection attaching a compressed air line from an external compressed air supply, an activation switch to deliver compressed air to each of three cylindrical pistons attaching between each horizontally aligned paired set of said three extension arms of each right and left half cylinder to open and close said right and left half cylinder around said drill stem, with each said air cylinder alternating in vertical orientation and positioned between a set of hinges along said rear surface of said right and left half cylinders to optimize closure forces and to provide uniformity of pressure upon said perimeter seal from top to bottom; and a bracket mounted to each half cylinder around said upper pipe aperture from which to suspend said mud bucket.
 6. The pneumatic mud bucket as disclosed in claim 5, further defining a back guard assembly providing a safe barrier secured between each set of said plurality of extension arms preventing incidental exposure to said plurality of hinges, said at least one cylindrical air piston, and said compressed air system comprising: a screen panel; at least two spring tensioning support arms; and a solid cover panel slidably engaged with said screen panel to adjust a width of said back guard assembly between said extension arms during operation of said mud bucket as it opens and closes, said back guard assembly opened and closed by at least two hinges attaching to at least two said extension arms, providing access to service and repair said plurality of hinges, said at least one air piston, said compressed air system and for cleaning and routine servicing.
 7. The pneumatic mud bucket, as disclosed in claim 5 further comprising: a one way air pressure valve located with at least one right or left half cylinder, further attaching to said compressed air system to provide a positive pressure within said hollow inner cavity of each said right and left half cylinder in a closed position around a drill stem, to assist in the evacuation of drilling liquids from said inner cavities, over said lower floors and out said evacuation ports. 